USA > New Jersey > A civil and political history of New Jersey: embracing a compendious history of the state, from its early discover and settlement by Europeans, brought down to the present time > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47
Go 974.9 M89c 1760761
M.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
Go
L
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02248 0625
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/civilpoliticalhi00mulf 0
A
CIVIL AND POLITICAL
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY: 1
EMBRACING A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE STATE, FROM ITS EARLY DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT BY EUROPEANS, BROUGHT DOWN TO THE PRESENT TIME.
BY ISAAC S. MULFORD, M. D.
PHILADELPHIA: C. A. BROWN & CO. NORTHWEST CORNER OF FOURTH AND ARCH STREETS. 1S51.
186147
1760761
.
1
MULFORD, ISAAC S.
F 853 .6 A civil and political history of New Jersey: embracing a compendious history of the state, from its early discovery and settlement by Euro- peans, brought down to the present time ... Phil- adelphia, Brown, 1851. 500р.
.
First published in 1848.
29 20
ANTI CARD
NL 38-81201
Entered, according to an Act of Congress, in the year 1848, BY P. KEEN & E. CHANDLER, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
2920 nc
1
1
1
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
The English Discoveries,
CHAPTER II.
Possession by the English,
-
-
21
CHAPTER III.
The Dutch Claim,
33
CHAPTER IV.
New Netherland,
-
49
CHAPTER V.
New Netherland, New Albion, and New Sweden,
65
CHAPTER VI.
New Netherland, New Sweden, and New England,
-
-
94
CHAPTER VII.
1
Subjugation of New Netherland, and a second conveyance of a
part of the country,
.
115
CHAPTER VIII.
NEW JERSEY .- The establishment of Government,
-
130
CHAPTER IX.
First Legislative Proceedings-Opposition of the People to the
Government-Return of the Dutch, and Restoration of the
English Authority, -
147
CHAPTER X. Purchase by Fenwick and Byllinge-Partition between Fenwick and Byllinge-Settlement of Fenwick-Quntipartite Divi- sion-Provisional Government-Proprietary Government, 164
CHAPTER XI.
Proceedings in West New Jersey,
180
Page. 9
1
iv
CONTENTS.
Page.
CHAPTER XII. Government in East New Jersey-Release of the Duke of York- Government after the release-Sale of the Province-Go- vernment under the new Proprietors, 193
CHAPTER XIII.
West New Jersey-Government after the release of the Duke
of York-Conditional surrender of Government, -
-
234
-
CHAPTER XIV.
Resumption of Government in East Jersey-Resumption in
West Jersey-Final surrender,
-
253
CHAPTER XV.
New Constitution of Government-Lord Cornbury's Adminis-
-
281
tration,
CHAPTER XVI. L
Administration of Government by Lovelace, Ingolsby, Hunter,
Burnet, Montgomerie, and Cosby,
-
303
CHAPTER XVII.
Morris', Hamilton's, and Belcher's Administrations-The French
-
335
War-Change of Governors,
CHAPTER XVIII.
Opinions relating to the Rights of the Colonies-Passage of the Stamp Act-Opposition to the Stamp Act-The Repeal, 361
CHAPTER XIX.
1
Imposition of Taxes-Opposition to the new Taxes-The Tea
Duty-The Tea Duty Resisted-Congress of the Colonies
-Proceedings of Congress approved in New Jersey-Co-
ercive measures of England, -
374
CHAPTER XX.
The Second Continental Congress-The Provincial Congress of
New Jersey-Constitution of New Jersey, -
-
.
399
CHAPTER XXI.
Proposals for accommodation by the English-First Legislature
of the State of New Jersey,
-
427
CHAPTER XXII.
sures,
CHAPTER XXIII.
Financial Crisis-Success of the Americans-Close of the War
-The Federal Government-New State Constitution,
-
468
.
Second Legislature-Articles of Confederation-Financial Mea-
-
441
PREFACE.
BUT few words are necessary by way of preface as an intro- duction to the present volume. A fondness for historical pursuits, especially such as relate to our own country, was the motive that originally prompted the author to enter upon the undertaking. A part of the material was collected and arranged, with scarcely any other object than the personal gratification and advantage to be derived from the engagement. At length the representations of some friends who were of opinion that such a work would be useful, and would be favorably received, led to its continuance and final completion. The suggestions thus made, were the more readily acceeded to by the writer, from a belief, that no such work if executed with a strict regard to truth and fact, could be entirely without value. If no new light should be shed upon the subject, renewed attention to it might yet be excited. It was also sup- posed that something might be done to aid and favor inquiry. Different works upon the history of New Jersey already exist, and are well known, and perhaps the principal part of the mate- rial that can be considered of much importance has already been collected; yet it may be doubted whether it is in such a situation or form, as to render it sufficiently easy of access. Some of these works are limited in period, some are 'ocal in their application, being confined, to certain parts of the State, and others are re- stricted in both these respects. Such as are more extended in scope are different in character and purpose from the present one. Hence it was conceived, that by bringing together from the several sources within reach, the principal circumstances and events of a civil and political character, and presenting them in one view, and
---
-
.
VI
PREFACE.
in their natural order and relation, a service would be done, by shortening and lightening the labor of research in the most im- portant department of history. Such has been the present design. The execution of such a work may give but little ground for a claim to originality or learning; no such claim is advanced. No attempt has been made to produce a speculative or philosophical history, but rather to give a simple and compendious narrative. It is hoped that the book may prove convenient and useful, and if so, the object of the author will be gained. Admiration has not been sought. But in justice to himself, the writer may state, that his labor has been conducted in the midst of the duties and calls of another and an engrossing pursuit, and under an engagemen, which was too restrictive in point of time ; hence faults in manner, and also some inaccuracies will be found, which, under other cir- cumstances, might possibly have been avoided or corrected. It may also be stated, that in order to meet the agreement which had been made in regard to the size of the volume, it was found necessary, especially toward the close, to resort to a greater de- gree of compression than was consistent with completeness, or with entire perspicuity; for the same reason, matter has been given in notes which properly belonged in the text, and the effect has been a kind of broken or disconnected appearance in several parts. It should also be mentioned, that in consequence of errors in punctuation (which are chiefly typographical,) the meaning of several passages is rendered obscure, and indeed is almost per- verted. Some of these errors are noticed in an errata. With these explanations, the volume is submitted, and no doubt is felt that it will be received by the people of the State, and others who may be interested in its history, with a full measure of justice and liberality.
CAMDEN, N. J., 5th month, 1848.
-
1
ERRATA.
VARIATIONS IN ORTHOGRAPHY .- Privilege has sometimes been printed priviledge-enterprise, enterprize-and maintenance, maintainance. Page 14, line 35, for successor read successors. 3 15, line 16, the word it, to come between and, and is.
23, line 8, for is, read are.
In note 10, page 38, a semi-colon to be put after the word down.
Note 10, page 53, line 3 from bottom, for this read thus.
. " 10, page 72, for a period, put a comma after the word off.
" 20, page 79, for Huddle read Hudde.
Page 80, date of protest, for 1683 read 1638.
Note 6, page 98, a comma after the word case, and the word went, between case and by.
Note 16, page 105, for undemnified read undamnified.
Page 134, line 6 from bottom, for continued read contained.
154, line 8 from bottom, for the, read a
Note 10, page 158, the word Fort, to come before the words William Hendrick.
Page 159, line 10 from bottom, for divested, read devested.
183, lines 4 and 5, for semi-colons put commas after colonel and general, In note 24, page 211, a comma to be put after the word officer, and Alder- man, for Aderman.
Page 215, line 18, for administrated read administered. " 218, line 12 from bottom, for been met, read seen meet.
Note 48, page 228, for discharges read discharge.
Page 278, line 4, a semi-colon to be put after the word usage.
" 283, line 16, for frecholder, read householder.
Note 13, page 291, for interests, read interest.
A very noticeable error occurs on page 304, line 16-the words inhabitants frecholders should be inhabitants householders.
Page 391, line 27, for had, read has. 4 398, line 1, for made formally, read finally made.
496, line 18, the word of, to come between principle and composition.
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
CHAPTER I.
THE ENGLISH DISCOVERIES.
.
THE discovery of the New World by Columbus, gave a strong impulse to the human mind. An eager and adventurous spirit was at once aroused, and men of different nations came forward to enter upon the new field of enterprise and effort. Amongst the foremost of these persons was John Cabot, a native of Venice, but who had been for a long time, a resident in England. He projected a voyage of discovery and made application to Henry VII. of Eng- land, for authority and aid to carry on the design. Very little aid was afforded, but the necessary authority was conferred, without much delay. A commission was issued bearing date the 5th of March, 1495. It was given to John Cabot, and his sons, Louis, Sebastian and Sanchez, committing to him, and to them, and to their heirs and deputies, full authority to sail to all countries and seas of the east, west, and north, under the banner of Eng- land. They were allowed to equip "at their own proper costs and charges," five ships of whatever burden and strength in mariners, they might choose to employ. They were empowered to set up the ensigns of England in newly discovered lands, and to possess them as lieutenants of the king.1 Some time elapsed before the difficulties incident to such an attempt could be wholly
' Rymer's Fodera Anglice.
2
@
10
THE ENGLISH DISCOVERIES.
removed, and the preparations for departure were not completed until the commencement of the year 1497. Of the persons named in the commission two only, engaged in the voyage, John Cabot the father, and Sebastian, the second of the sons. Very little is known as to the particular occurrences of their voyage, no precise account having ever been given, either by the actors themselves, or by any cotemporary. But the enterprise itself is referred to in various authentic documents, and the final event was recorded in terms sufficiently full, and in a manner that entities the account to perfect confidence and credit. This record was made upon an ancient map drawn by Sebastian Cabot himself, and published, as there is reason to believe, under his sanction, if not by his parti- cular desire. Upon this map was written in Latin, the following words : "In the year of our Lord, 1497, John Cabot, a Venetian, and Sebastian his son, discovered that country which no one be- fore his time had ventured to approach, on the 24th of June, about five o'clock in the morning."? To commemorate the event the discoverers called the land Terra Primum Visa; it was a part of the Island now called New Foundland. It is stated by some authorities that so soon as this discovery was made, or very soon afterwards, the voyagers returned to England, making scarcely any attempt to explore the country, or to examine the adjacent coasts.3 Others suppose that Cabot continued immediately to prosecute the voyage; that he pursued a westwardly course until the continent was reached, then, sailing along the coast, advanced high up into the Northern Seas, and finally, proceeded in an opposite direction far toward the south.« A careful comparison of the several accounts conducts to the belief, that the truth is be- tween these extremes. It is beyond dispute that the Cabots were concerned in two voyages performed in immediate succession, and there are many facts tending to show, that the principal dis- -
"This map was in a collection in the cabinet of Edward VI. and Sebastian Cabot was in great reputation at the court of that prince, and was entertained by him with much favour .- Tytler's View.
It was also " to be seene in her Majesty's privie gallerie at Westminster, and in many other ancient merchants houses."-Hakluyt.
' Tytler's Historical View.
. Holme's Annals, Proud's History, Grahame's Colonial History.
على شنغده
11
THE ENGLISH DISCOVERIES.
coveries were made in the course of the second one. Upon the first, the one now under notice, little more was effected than to determine the existence of land in this region, and to notice the insular form of some parts, and the extended appearance of others. This being done, the discoverers hastened to return, in order to announce the success of their venturous attempt. The voyage of the next year was undertaken with more favorable prospects, the king showed greater liberality in his grants, and even engaged to defray the entire expense; the same navigator also, having the advantage of former experience, was appointed to conduct the enterprize. A commission was granted on the 3d of February, 1498, N. S. * It was given to John Kabatto, Venetian, and per- mitted him to take six ships and sail to the land and isles, of late found by the said John, in our name, and by our commandment.5 When on the eve of departure, John Cabot from some causes now unknown, found it necessary to relinquish the command and the attempt, and upon this occurrence, Sebastian the son, was advanced to the vacant post. Sebastian sailed from England in the month of May of the same year, and proceeded at once to- ward the American continent. The exact date of his arrival is not known, but he immediately engaged in exploring the coast. The discoveries he made during the course of this voyage were of great extent. The limit to the north has not been precisely determined there being a singular variance in the several state- ments made upon the point. This difference is the more remarka- ble as most of these statements seem to have been drawn from a common source, and this too, being one of the earliest and fullest works." But the writer of this work though always copious in his details, is not always sufficiently exact. On one occasion he professes to give the acount of Cabot himself upon the point in question, it is as follows: "Sailing along the coast toward the north to ascertain if I could find any gulf to run into, I could dis- cover none, and thus having procceded as far as fifty-six degrees under the pole, and seeing that here the coast tended toward the east, I despaired of finding any passage and so turned back."7
'Memoir of Sebastian C'abot.
· Viaggi del Ramusio.
1 Ramusio, tom. 1st.
--
--
-- -
--
12 .
THE ENGLISH DISCOVERIES.
Yet in another part of his work this author declares, that it was written to him by Sebastian Cabot, that he sailed to the latitude of sixty-seven and-a-half degrees under the north pole.8 Both these accounts have been followed by succeeding writers. But this difficulty may be solved. Although the distinction is not fully or properly marked, there is yet sufficient reason to believe, that the statements just given do not relate to the same time, or the same voyage. It is known that many years subsequent to the period now under notice, Sebastian Cabot conducted an expedition to this very coast, under the direction of Henry Eighth of England, for the purpose of discovering a passage to the Indies. On this later voyage he proceeded farther to the north than he had done before, and then it was he sailed to the latitude of sixty-seven and-a-half degrees under the north pole. It may therefore be concluded that the former statement which gives the latitude of fifty-six degrees as the limit of the present voyage, may be relied on as correct.º Authorities differ also in regard to the southern limit. The writer already quoted gives, as a part of the statement of Cabot, an ex- press declaration that "he reached the country at present called Florida." But this account is not at all precise, as the country to which the name Florida had been given, was, at that time of undetermined extent. . But another author who wrote nearly at the same time, being a cotemporary with Cabot, and also one of his intimate friends, gives an additional account. In this, it is said that the discoverer "coasting still by the shore was brought so far to the south by reason of the land bending much to the southward that it was there almost equal in latitude with the straits of Herculus and that he [then] sailed to the west until he had the Island of Cuba on his left hand, and nearly in the same longitude.1º This narration is not perfectly determinate and clear,
· Ramusio, tom. 2d.
. According to some authorities, Cabot arrived upon the coast in this voyage in the latitude of fifty-eight degrees, but it may be doubted whether this was not in the later voyage performed in the next reign.
" Peter Martyr de Orbe Novo. A single glance at the North American conti- neat will serve to illustrate the meaning of a part of the passage here cited. The "bending of the land" is southward to the thirty-fifth degree, which is almost the latitude of the straits of Herculus or Gibraltar, from that point it tande westwardly.
13
THE ENGLISH DISCOVERIES.
but it imports, that the navigator had arrived near the Island of Cuba, and it is obvious, that with this Island on the left hand, the nearest part of the continent, almost in the same longitude, on his right hand, would be that portion of country to which the name Florida has now come to be confined. The southern point of this portion of land is nearly in the latitude of twenty-five degrees.
Cabot did not attempt to establish a settlement within the country he discovered, but he took possession thereof, on behalf of the crown of England.
In the two voyages just noticed the foundation of the English claim to countries in North America was laid. It is of some im- portance that the origin and character of this claim should be fully understood, and hence it may be proper, before any further advancement is made, to pay closer attention to this primary movement. "The particular right we have to a thing," says a writer of authority, "is either by original or derivative acquisition. It is called original acquisition when a thing which before be- longed to no man, begins to be the property of some particular person ; it is derivative, when a right of property already esta- blished, passes from one to another."11 In its inception the claim of the English nation to land in America was considered as origi- nal in its character; in other words, the territory was regarded, and entered upon, as belonging to no one. It was locked upon as entirely new; the inhabitants, which at subsequent periods, were found there, were subdued or conciliated, but a right to the country was supposed to have been acquired, anterior to the conclusion of any treaty, or any attempt at conquest. Discovery, simply con- sidered was made the foundation of title. Whether such a claim could be sanctioned as just, whether it was consistent with human- ity and the soundest policy, are questions which it is not necessary just now, to discuss. It is sufficient for our present purpose to determine, whether such a right was acquired as might be main- tained in accordance with the usages of civilized countries, and the principles of national law. That according to these usages and laws, discovery, or finding, by an European nation, even where there was pre-occupation by savages, is capable of confer-
tt Grotius.
14
THE ENGLISH DISCOVERIES.
ring a title to territory, is a point that needs no illustration, and hence there is no other thing to be determined in the present case, than the reality of the finding itself. Considered in this way the matter in question is not such as to require an extended notice ; it is nearly determined by commen assent. That a discovery was really made at the time, and made by persons acting under a com- mission from the English crown, are facts that soon became known, and have been generally acknowledged, throughout the civilized world. The only point that is open to doubt is that which respects the extent of acquisition. It cannot be pretended that the finding of San Salvador, by Columbus, gave a right to the Spaniards to all the Islands on the American coast, or that the first discovery of the continent by Cabot, gave the English a claim to its entire extent. A claim from discovery must have some limitation. Where a natural boundary exists that may be taken as the limit, as in the case of Islands or a close group of Islands, or in portions of territory connected with particular waters. Thus, a voyager who should discover the mouth of a stream upon a coast before unknown, would without farther advance, acquire a claim to the country watered by such stream, and its branches. Where no such natural boundary exists, the actual extent of dis- covery, is to be mainly regarded. A navigator who may discover a country and proceed along its outline, may lay claim to a right between the points of approach and departure. Upon this princi- ple, the extent of the English acquisition from the discoveries of the Cabots would be, from the fifty-sixth, nearly to the twenty-fifth degree of latitude.
A long period elapsed before any attempts were made by the English, to improve in any way, the possession they had thus obtained. Neither the discoverers themselves or "their heirs or deputies" availed themselves of the advantages which had been granted them. They neither engaged in trade, or endeavoured to acquire a fuller knowledge concerning these lands. Nor was much desire evinced either by the king under whose authority the discoveries were made, or by his immediate successor, to exercise the powers that were vested in the crown. More than half a cen- tury was suffered to pass away without farther advancement. But, during this period, several attempts were made upon this
15
THE ENGLISH DISCOVERIES.
same ground by other adventurers, and it is necessary to notice these movements, both as a part of the history of the time, and also, as they were the foundation of conflicting claims to the country.
The Portuguese were the first to follow in the new track. The people of this nation had become signalized on account of their genius and skill as navigators, and they were ready to seize upon every opportunity that presented, to extend their researches, and add to their renown. The discoveries of Cabot excited their jealousy. Very soon an expedition was despatched by the King of Portugal, under the command of Gaspar de Cortereal, a man of ardent and determined character, and who it is said, was "athirst for glory." This commander made two voyages to the American coast, the first one, in the year 1500. He directed his course so far toward the north, that he only touched upon a part of the English discoveries, and is supposed that he did not ad- vance beyond their limits, at any one point.12 But the history of the whole enterprize of Cortereal is very imperfect, and in rela- tion to the second attempt, which followed quickly after the first, hardly any thing is known, as the whole company was lost, and no vestige either of the ships or the mariners, was ever discovered. 13 The brother of Cortereal who sailed soon afterwards with two ships, to determine the fate of his relative, perished in a similar manner.
The French people were the next to enter upon the career of discovery. Only a few years after the discovery of America by Cabot, the Fishermen of Normandy ventured to visit the coast, and in 1508 a mariner named Hubert, carried home one of the natives of Newfoundland, and exhibited him in Paris. But in the year 1523 a more formal undertaking was entered upon.
Francis the First who was then on the throne of France, was a prince of much activity of character, and he engaged. in the new pursuit with all his accustomed ardor. He caused four ships to
" The most northern point that was attained by Cortereal was probably about the fiftieth degree .- Bancroft.
" Almost the only account of the voyage of Cortereal is contained in a letter from Pietro Pasqualigo, Venetian Embassador in Portugal, to his brother, dated October 19th, 1501.
-
16
THE ENGLISH DISCOVERIES.
be fitted out, and placed them under the command of John Ver- razano, a Florentine navigator of high repute. The expedition departed at once, but did not arrive on the American coast till the following year, having been delayed by various occurrences. At length, as the commander himself narrates, "he arrived at a new land never before seen by any man either ancient or modern." It is necessary however to take this declaration with some degree of abatement; the particular portion of territory that was seen by Verrazano may not have been visited before, yet, it was within the limits of the British discoveries, and it does not appear that the commander arrived in any part of his voyage, at a country totally unknown. Toward the south, he reached the latitude of thirty degrees, or according to some authorities the twenty-eighth degree. From this point he proceeded along the coast toward the north and was thus led nearly in the same track that had been pursued before by Cabot, though in an opposite direction. He sailed along the whole line of coast as far as to the fiftieth degree of latitude. He landed at several places and held some intercourse with the natives and upon his final departure, gave to the region he had visited, the name of New France.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.